Lowenstein Sandler's Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Podcast

Hosted by Lowenstein Sandler LLP

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May 2026

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About the show

Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Podcast: "Just Compensation" is a podcast series covering key issues in Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits law. It provides the basics of benefits as well as covering common issues and hot topics in this niche area of law that involves navigating complex tax rules and ERISA. Hosted by attorneys from our Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits practice groups, this series, geared towards companies and senior executives, will feature members from these practice groups, lawyers from other practice areas throughout the firm, and other individuals who work with companies.

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58 recent

May 28, 2026Episode 5912 min

Navigating Inducement Equity Grants to Attract Top Talent

In this episode of Just Compensation, Andrew E. Graw, Chair of Lowenstein's Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits group, Taryn E. Cannataro, and Kate Basmagian discuss inducement equity grants, a tool employers use to attract top talent in competitive markets. The conversation discusses how inducement equity grants can be used to issue awards outside shareholder-approved equity plans, and what employers must look out for to ensure they are complying with proper approval procedures, applicable listing rules, and timely and accurate disclosure requirements. Speakers: Andrew E. Graw, Partner, Chair, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Taryn E. Cannataro, Counsel, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Kate Basmagian, Partner, Capital Markets & Securities Group

April 30, 2026Episode 5816 min

What's New in Employment Law? Part II: General Trends

In this episode of Just Compensation, Megan Monson, Amy Komoroski Wiwi, and Amy C. Schwind continue their discussion regarding employment law updates and trends from 2025 and what employers should expect as 2026 continues. They focus on broader changes, covering non-competes, pay transparency and pay data reporting, AI, and DEI. Listen to Part I here. Speakers: Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Amy Wiwi, Partner, Employment Amy C. Schwind, Senior Counsel, Employment

March 26, 2026Episode 5722 min

What's New in Employment Law? Part I: State-Specific Changes

In this episode of Just Compensation, Megan Monson, Amy Komoroski Wiwi, and Amy C. Schwind discuss employment law updates and trends from 2025 and what employers should expect as 2026 continues. They delve into state-specific changes, noting minimum wage and salary threshold increases, prenatal leave and sick time, and independent contractor classifications, and other New York, New Jersey, and California legislation. Speakers: Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Amy Wiwi, Partner, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Amy C. Schwind, Senior Counsel, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits

February 19, 2026Episode 5612 min

Commission Basics: Key Considerations for Commission Plans

In this episode of Just Compensation, Megan Monson and Amy C. Schwind discuss legal considerations regarding commission payment, covering the key components of commission plans. They advise against ambiguity in plans by suggesting employers prepare clear, written commission plans that define eligibility, earning criteria, calculation, and payment timing while complying with state wage-and-hour and tax laws. Speakers: Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Amy C. Schwind, Senior Counsel, Employment

January 22, 2026Episode 5516 min

Your Options Have Options: Assessing Treatments of Outstanding Stock Options and Other Equity Awards

In this episode of Just Compensation, Megan Monson and Jessica I. Stewart join host Taryn E. Cannataro in discussing common treatments of outstanding stock options and other equity awards in transactions. The discussion covers what different approaches mean for employees, sellers and buyers, as well as the tax implications of various treatments. Monson, Stewart, and Cannataro explore the key issues that all parties in a transaction should keep in mind, from equity plan design and deal documentation to structuring awards that effectively incentivize employees. Speakers: Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Taryn E. Cannataro, Counsel, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Jessica I. Stewart, Associate, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits

December 18, 2025Episode 5417 min

ESOPs: What They Are, Why They're Used, Benefits, Drawbacks, and Pitfalls

In this episode of Just Compensation, Andrew E. Graw, Taryn E. Cannataro, and Zachary Bocian discuss ESOPs, employee stock ownership plans. The conversation covers the tax and non-tax benefits of ESOPs, and how ESOPs can be used by shareholders of closely-held companies to diversify all or some of their equity in the company. Speakers: Andrew E. Graw, Partner and Chair, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Taryn E. Cannataro, Counsel, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Zachary Bocian, Associate, Executive Compensation

November 20, 2025Episode 5326 min

Avoiding the Bad Breakup: Employee Termination Considerations

In this episode of Just Compensation, Megan Monson, Amy C. Schwind, and Jessica I. Stewart discuss employer considerations for involuntary termination of employees, including terms in the employee's contract, reason for termination, and release agreements like severance plans. They cover risks of retaliation or other claims if the employee is a member of a protected class or is on or intends to go on a leave of absence. The conversation reviews state and federal regulation as well as COBRA, 409A tax code, and the WARN act. The episode relays that terminating an employee must be a well thought-out and careful decision. Speakers: Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation and Employee BenefitsAmy C. Schwind, Counsel, EmploymentJessica I. Stewart, Associate, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits

October 23, 2025Episode 5221 min

Sell Your Company, Not Your Employees: Employee Retention Tactics During Sales

In this episode of Just Compensation, Megan Monson, Taryn E. Cannataro, and Zachary Bocian discuss employee retention strategies during a company sale, including transaction bonuses, retention bonuses, management carve-out plans, and severance plans. They assess whether the seller or buyer is responsible for funding retention tools and address the legal and practical considerations of such arrangements. To learn more about 280G, listen to Section 280G Unpacked: Pitfalls and Planning for Tech Startups. To learn more about 'Top Hat' structures, listen to Puttin' on Your Top Hat: How to Effectively Structure a Deferred Compensation Plan as a "Top Hat" Plan. Speakers: Megan Monson, Partner, Executive Compensation and Employee BenefitsTaryn E. Cannataro, Counsel, Executive Compensation and Employee BenefitsZachary Bocian, Associate, Executive Compensation

September 18, 2025Episode 5027 min

A Handbook on Handbooks: Creating the Right Employee Handbook for Your Company

In this episode of Just Compensation, Jessica I. Kriegsfeld is joined by Lauren M. Hollender to discuss employee handbooks, including varying state and federal laws and best practices for creating, distributing, and maintaining employee handbooks. Hollender explains that employee handbooks are not one-size-fits-all, and they should be customized to fit the company's size, location, and culture. Speakers: Lauren M. Hollender, Counsel, EmploymentJessica Kriegsfeld, Associate, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits

August 21, 2025Episode 5017 min

Employment Considerations for Early-Stage Companies

In this episode of Just Compensation, Jessica I. Kriegsfeld, Amy C. Schwind, and Adam Dickson discuss employment considerations for early-stage companies, including best practices to be compliant with applicable employment laws and to build a strong foundation to grow and attract talent. Speakers: Adam Dickson, Counsel, Emerging Companies & Venture CapitalAmy C. Schwind, Counsel, EmploymentJessica Kriegsfeld, Associate, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits